Sidney Boquiren recaps Monday's boxing action from Japan (additional news after the jump). For more Japanese boxing updates, you can follow Sidney on twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter
Hosono defends featherweight title via TKO2
Current Japanese featherweight titleholder Satoshi Hosono had perhaps his best performance in the past 18 months by stopping JBC #6 rated Kazunori Takayama in two frames last night. The once-beaten prospect advanced to 21-1, 15KO, and made the third defense of his domestic crown.
Hosono has looked a bit lost in the ring in the four appearances he has made since coming up short against Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym back in January 2010. On Monday, he would come out of his corner with bad intentions, going to work quickly, and dropping Takayama hard in the second with a short left uppercut. Though the challenger picked himself up from the canvas, he would not survive Hosono’s follow up flurry. After a few body shots stopped Takayama in his tracks, the referee waved off the fight at the 2:56 mark.
The speed and efficiency of Hosono’s stoppage victory seems to indicate that the prospect has finally regained some of his swagger. After the fight, the 27-year old’s promoter, Hideyuki Ohashi, told reporters that he hopes to set up his charge with a second title challenge within the year. Combining decent boxing skills, combination punching and good power, Hosono is indeed a solid prospect. However, this writer would prefer to see him matched with a bona fide contender along the likes of Daud Yordan before talk of a title shot at 126.
On the undercard, impressive prospect Ryuji Hara kept his undefeated record intact by battering journeyman Hiroshi Ishii over six rounds. A former national amateur champion, the 21-year old (7-0, 5KO) has adjusted to the pro ranks nicely, progressively working in power punching to complement his already solid technical abilities. Nikkan Sports reported that Hara ripped Ishii with left hooks to the head and body as well as right uppercuts early on, and made it a one-sided fight from the fifth onward.
Other boxing notes
- After winning his second fight since vacating the WBA flyweight title, it appears Daiki Kameda is targeting a shot at a 115-lb belt before year’s end. The 22-year old destroyed Thai import Chatchai Monthon Gym in less than five minutes on Friday in a bantamweight contest, but will come down a weight class if his handlers can arrange for a title challenge in time for the Kameda’s annual December card. Although he will not be fighting on older brother Koki’s undercard on August 31, Daiki will likely take another fight in the fall.
- Akifumi Shimoda spoke to reporters after falling to Rico Ramos in seven frames over the weekend and told them he hopes to make a return to the ring by November. The now former super bantamweight champion expressed hope that he will be able to comeback from the KO loss to claim another title.
For more coverage of Japanese boxing, follow Sidney on Twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter